Kia and Hyundai recently recalled 3.37 million vehicles in the United States due to potential fire risk concerns. The recall affects various models including Hyundai Kona, Santa Fe, Elantra, and Ioniq vehicles produced between 2011 and 2019, and Kia Niro, Soul, and Sportage vehicles from 2012 to 2019. The root of the issue lies in the anti-lock brake system, which can cause the wiring connector to melt and short circuit, increasing the risk of fire.
This is the latest in a series of recalls for the companies. In September 2020, Kia and Hyundai recalled 1.1 million vehicles because of issues with the brakes. The new recall is much larger and is likely to seriously impact the companies’ bottom line.
The affected vehicles will need to be brought in to the dealership for repair, free of charge. If the connector wires are melted, they will need to be replaced. Kia and Hyundai estimate that the repair process should take approximately one hour and may possibly require additional parts. They are urging owners to act quickly and take their cars in for repair as soon as possible, as the longer they wait, the increased risk of fire.
Kia and Hyundai have not had to recall any other vehicles, in the United States, this year until now, but this incident is sure to impact their reputation and hurt their profits in the coming months. The manufacturer is currently in the process of notifying owners about the recall and offering free repairs. They are urging owners to refurbish their cars as soon as possible and to reach out to their local dealerships if they have any questions about the process. It remains to be seen how the recalled vehicles will fare in the long term, but this could be a potential setback for the companies.
